Hair cut, airplanes, & CAKE!

This is my SLY as a FOX face!! 

Yes!  I still have blue eyes.....

mmmm....I love mom's spinach and mushroom manicotti

'I like just sitting on my birthday box' 

'ooooh, what's in there Mom?' 

A lawn mower from Aunt Brooke Uncle Tyler and cousin Carter

Reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar with Grandma Jean...ooooooo!

Monkey see monkey do!!  So cute. 

Ridding the golf cart with Grandma Jean and second cousin Jaci

Look out people, Maddox is driving. 

Having pancakes with Grandpa Jim at the Washington Airport Breakfast Fly In 

Thanks for the ride Grandpa Jim 

Ridding Grandpa Jim's 4 wheeler 

'Help me down from your big boat Grandpa Jim'

Faster man!! 

Yep, still working on that 3 three thing. 

Hmmmm....I wonder if I could fit back there as a stowaway??

Wow, we have had a very busy week (I feel like I write that every week:)  I'll try to keep the text to a minimum as I have TONS o' pictures. We have had a great week. Kennon got his first big boy hair cut.  Eric had Wednesday off so after he spruced up the yard ( which is looking fantastic after the blast of rain we had Thursday) we loaded the kids up and took him to the Great Clips. He was pretty tired which actually worked out well because he just sat nicely on my lap while the lady quickly cut his hair. She (and he) did a great job.  She got him all trimmed up for his first birthday on Saturday. He doesn't look too much different from the front but the back and sides look much cleaner.  Thursday evening we had a BIG PARTY at our house.  Sara, one of my best running buddies from a few years back, was back visiting the Quad Cities. She moved to Atlanta about 3 years ago and then had Connor, her 3 year old son. We had my whole running group over for spinach manicotti, salad, and brownies!!  There were 4 kids ages 3, 2 1/2, 1 3/4 and Kennon! They had a great time playing together.  Maddox did a fantastic time sharing with the other kids, ate all her manicotti and enjoyed the attention. It was nice to catch up with all my buddies.  Friday during the day we had all the windows, screens, and outside of the house professionally washed.  Whew, what a great feeling.  I didn't realize just how dirty the windows were. Friday night we layed low and then geared up for a trip down to Washington for cousin Alex's high school graduation party.  But first, we had a little 1st birthday celebration for Kennon Saturday morning. He got to open a couple of presents with the highlight being a lawn mower from Uncle Tyler, Aunt Brooke, and CJK.  He loves the way the mower sounds when you pull on the string.  SO FUN!! He is able to walk behind it pretty well although he is a bit heavy on the handle and tips it over a lot.  But, Maddox is quick to pick it up for him and take off. She is of course a pro at pushing it around. It won't be long and he'll have reign of the mower I'm sure. After the kids napped Saturday morning we headed to Washington for the party.  It was at the country club in Washington so Maddox (and Kennon) got to take their first golf cart ride.  Cousin Jaci chaperoned while Maddox steered. She actually did pretty well although generally just liked turning in circles. The food was great complete with graduation cake, cupcakes, and root beer floats. Maddox was in heaven.  It was a long day for both kiddos which made for absolutely FANTASTIC sleeping.  Kennon slept completely through the night.....!!!  The first time in months (and I'm not exaggerating that).  We put him down about 8:30 and he didn't stir until almost 7AM.  Maddox slept the whole night too.  He slept so well in Grandpa Jim's gun room that we are considering switching his room to our guest room (blue room).  It, like Grandpa Jim's gun room, doesn't have much light and is nice and quiet. Sunday morning the Washington Airport had their Washington Pancake Breakfast Fly In.  So Maddox, Grandpa Jim and I headed over to watch the planes fly in and out and eat some pancakes.  It was definitely the highlight of the weekend ( despite the good cake at the party).  It was a beautiful morning about 70 degrees and sky was blue. There were just enough planes coming and going that kept Maddox's attention for the entire morning. We got to get right up close to the planes, look inside the cockpits, and feel their wings learning the difference between a Piper canvas plane and a regular metal plane from Grandpa Jim. (sorry if I'm botching that explanation Dad). Maddox had an absolutely fantastic time and will remember that for years to come. I love helping make memories for the kids and the ones we get to make with the grandparents are priceless.  Thanks for the great morning Dad! Before we left town we headed over to see Great Grandma Reta's new home.  She is moving into a fantastic apartment in a beautiful senior high rise.  She is going to LOVE it there.  We are excited for her move which is happening tomorrow.  Good luck Great Grandma. I have to share something Maddox said to Eric this evening.  Neither Eric (or I) chose to shower today. We were just enjoying hanging out at Dad's relaxing now worrying about much, which is why we like to go to Dad's.  Eric and Maddox were in the bathroom before bed which is part of their bedtime routine.....teeth, 2 books, potty, then CUDDLE. Tonight apparently Maddox said to Eric 'Dad, I can smell you'!!  Hah, I had to laugh. Just because she is 2.5 doesn't mean her nose doesn't work.  Along those lines, last night when he got back from the graduation party there was a strong smell of hog maneur outside and the wind was blowing just right to bring it right into Dad's house.  Maddox said to Eric  'Dad, it smells like poopy in here'.  Hah!!  She is starting to say the funniest things lately.  A big thanks to Grandpa and Grandma Knowles for a great weekend. We had a fantastic time...especially the full nights sleep!!